Transfix component with layer having polymer matrix with small molecules and image forming apparatus with same

ABSTRACT

A transfix member comprising a heating member and a component film having a surface layer and a polymer matrix layer, wherein the polymer matrix layer contains a polymer and small molecules, and the polymer matrix layer is designed to allow the small molecules to diffuse through the polymer matrix to the surface layer upon the application of pressure or heat to the component film.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/703,688filed Oct. 31, 2000 entitled “Tranfix Component With Layer HavingPolymer Matrix With Small Molecules,” . . . , now Patented as U.S. Pat.No. 6,482,504 . . . . The disclosure of this application is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to layers useful in an imagingapparatus components, for use in electrostatographic, including digital,apparatuses. The layers herein are useful for many purposes includinglayers for transfix films or transfuse films, and the like. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a component outer layercomprising a polymer matrix having small molecules which, upon transferand/or fixation of a developed image, diffuse through an outer layer ofthe component so as to promote release of the developed image from thecomponent outer layer. The layers of the present invention may be usefulin films used in xerographic machines, especially color machines.

In a typical electrostatographic reproducing apparatus such aselectrophotographic imaging system using a photoreceptor, a light imageof an original to be copied is recorded in the form of an electrostaticlatent image upon a photosensitive member and the latent image issubsequently rendered visible by the application of a developer mixture.One type of developer used in such printing machines is a liquiddeveloper comprising a liquid carrier having toner particles dispersedtherein. Generally, the toner is made up of resin and a suitablecolorant such as a dye or pigment. Conventional charge directorcompounds may also be present. The liquid developer material is broughtinto contact with the electrostatic latent image and the colored tonerparticles are deposited thereon in image configuration.

The developed toner image recorded on the imaging member can betransferred to an image receiving substrate such as paper via anintermediate transfer member. Alternatively, the developed image can betransferred to an intermediate transfer member from the image receivingmember via another transfer member. The toner particles may betransferred by heat and/or pressure to an intermediate transfer member,or more commonly, the toner image particles may be electrostaticallytransferred to the intermediate transfer member by means of anelectrical potential between the imaging member and the intermediatetransfer member. After the toner has been transferred to theintermediate transfer member, it can then be transferred to the imagereceiving substrate, for example by contacting the substrate with thetoner image on the intermediate transfer member under heat and/orpressure. Alternatively, the developed image can be transferred toanother intermediate transfer member such as a transfix/transfuse ortransfer member. A transfix or transfuse member uses heat associatedwith the transfer member in order to both transfer and fix or fuse thedeveloped image to a copy substrate.

Intermediate transfer members, including transfix or transfuse members,enable high throughput at modest process speeds. In four-colorphotocopier systems, the transfer member also improves registration ofthe final color toner image. In such systems, the four component colorsof cyan, yellow, magenta and black may be synchronously developed ontoone or more imaging members and transferred in registration onto atransfer member at a transfer station.

In electrostatographic printing machines in which the toner image istransferred from the transfix member to the image receiving or copysubstrate, it is important that the transfer of the toner particles fromthe transfix member to the image receiving substrate be substantially100 percent. Less than complete transfer to the image receivingsubstrate results in image degradation and low resolution. Completelyefficient transfer is particularly important when the imaging processinvolves generating full color images since undesirable colordeterioration in the final colors can occur when the color images arenot completely transferred from the transfer member.

Thus, it is desired that the transfix member surface have excellentrelease characteristics with respect to the toner particles.Conventional materials known in the art for use as transfix membersoften possess the strength, conformability and electrical conductivitynecessary for use as transfix members, but can suffer from poor tonerrelease characteristics, especially with respect to higher gloss imagereceiving substrates. When heat is associated with a transfer member,such as in the case of a transfix member, the transfix member must alsopossess good thermal conductivity in addition to superior releasecharacteristics.

In addition, it is desired that the transfix member have sufficienttoughness to undergo multiple cycling during use. Moreover, the outerlayer of the transfix member should be chemically compatible with tonerand with paper that the layer will come in contact with. In knownelectrophotostatographic machines, diketones are used in paper and tonercomponents. Therefore, it is desired that the transfix outer layer becompatible with diketones and other components of toner and paper.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,126 discloses an imaging apparatus including atransfer member including a heater and pressure-applying roller, whereinthe transfer member includes a fabric substrate and animpurity-absorbent material as a top layer. The impurity-absorbingmaterial can include a rubber material.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,129 discloses an intermediate transfer componentcomprising a substrate and a ceramer or grafted ceramer coatingcomprised of integral, interpenetrating networks of haloelastomer,silicon oxide, and optionally polyorganosiloxane.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,679 discloses an intermediate transfer componentcomprised of a substrate and thereover a coating comprised of a volumegrafted elastomer, which is a substantially uniform integralinterpenetrating network of a hybrid composition of a fluoroelastomerand a polyorganosiloxane.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,987 discloses an intermediate transfer componentcomprising a substrate and a titamer or grafted titamer coatingcomprised of integral, interpenetrating networks of haloelastomer,titanium dioxide, and optionally polyorganosiloxane.

Some transfix belt configurations are composed of outer layerscomprising elastomers. Release fluids have become necessary to promoterelease of the developed image during transfer and/or fixation of thedeveloped image from the transfer or transfix member to the copysubstrate or to another transfer member. These release fluids cancontain functionality and can react with the copy substrate andcomponents of the copy substrate, such as paper fibers of paper copysubstrates. The result is gelation, which can lead to contamination. Therelease fluids can also react with other transfer members that they maycome in contact with during transfer. The release fluids cansubsequently react with other components of the subsystem, resulting inseveral adverse effects from the contamination of the subsystem withthese oils. One possible result is an accelerated component failure dueto severe contamination. This undesirable result can occur as early asseveral thousand prints.

Therefore, it is desired to provide a transfer or transfix member thatprovides for adequate release of the developed image upon transferand/or fixation, without the drawbacks of a release agent which mayreact adversely with copy substrate materials, other transfer membersand subsystem members, thereby contaminating the entire system. It isalso desired to provide a transfix member which has an outer layer whichdoes not react adversely with the chemical components of paper and/ortoner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in embodiments: a transfix membercomprising, a) a substrate, and thereover, b) a component film having asurface layer and a polymer matrix layer comprising a polymer and smallmolecules, the polymer matrix layer designed to allow the smallmolecules to diffuse through the polymer matrix layer to the surfacelayer upon the application of pressure or heat to said component film,and, c) a heating component associated with said substrate.

The present invention further provides, in embodiments: a transfixmember comprising, a) a substrate, and thereover, b) a component filmhaving a surface layer and a polymer matrix layer comprising a polymerand small molecules, the polymer matrix designed to allow the smallmolecules to diffuse through the polymer matrix layer to the surfacelayer upon the application of pressure or heat to the component film,wherein the polymer comprises a functional silicone material and thesmall molecules comprise non-functional silicone oligomers, and, c) aheating component associated with said substrate.

In addition, the present invention provides, in embodiments: an imageforming apparatus for forming images on a recording medium comprising,a) a charge-retentive surface to receive an electrostatic latent imagethereon; b) a development component to apply a developer material to thecharge-retentive surface to develop the electrostatic latent image toform a developed image on the charge-retentive surface; c) a transfixcomponent for transferring and fusing the developed image from thecharge-retentive surface to a copy substrate, the transfix membercomprising a component film having a surface layer and a polymer matrixlayer, wherein the polymer matrix layer comprises a polymer and smallmolecules, the polymer matrix layer designed to allow the smallmolecules to diffuse through the polymer matrix layer to the surfacelayer upon the application of pressure or heat to the component film,and a heating component associated with the substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above embodiments of the present invention will become apparent asthe following description proceeds upon reference to the drawings, whichinclude the following figures:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a general electrostatographic apparatususing a transfix member.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of a transfix system.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an embodiment of a transfix beltconfiguration involving a substrate, an intermediate layer, and thinouter layer.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an embodiment of a transfix beltconfiguration having a substrate and thin outer layer.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an embodiment of the component film havinga polymer matrix and small molecules embedded or dispersed therein.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of an embodiment of the component film havinga polymer matrix and small molecules embedded or dispersed therein, andsmall molecules diffusing to the surface layer of the component film.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to component films having a surfacelayer, wherein the component film contains a polymer matrix with smallmolecules embedded or contained therein. The component films can befilms, sheets, belts and the like, useful in electrostatographic,including digital, apparatuses. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the component film can be useful as a transfer or transfixmember in an electrostatographic apparatus. The disclosure is notintended to limit the number and types of uses for the component filmdisclosed herein. The use as a transfer or transfix member is an exampleof a preferred use of an embodiment of the film.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is depicted an image-forming apparatuscomprising intermediate transfer member 1 advanced by rollers 2, 3 and4. Intermediate transfer member 1 is depicted as a belt or film member,but may be of another useful form such as a belt, sheet, film, drum,roller or the like. An image is processed and developed by imageprocessing units 5. There may be as few as 1 processing unit, forexample, for 1 color processing such as black, and as many processingunits as desired. In embodiments, each processing unit processes aspecific color. In preferred embodiments, there are 4 processing unitsfor processing cyan, black, yellow and magenta. The first processingunit processes one color and transfers this developed one-color image tothe intermediate transfer member 1 via transfer member 6. Theintermediate transfer member 1 is advanced to the next relevantprocessing unit 5 and the process is repeated until a fully developedimage is present on the intermediate transfer member 1.

After the necessary number of images are developed by image processingmembers 5 and transferred to intermediate transfer member 1 via transfermembers 6, the fully developed image is transferred to transfix member7. The transfer of the developed image to transfix member 7 is assistedby rollers 4 and 8, either or both of which may be a pressure roller ora roller having heat associated therewith. In a preferred embodiment,one of roller 4 or roller 8 is a pressure member, wherein the otherroller 4 or 8 is a heated roller. Heat may be applied internal orexternal to the roller. Heat may be supplied by any known heat source.

In a preferred embodiment, the fully developed image is subsequentlytransferred to a copy substrate 9 from transfix member 7. Copy substrate9, such as paper, is passed between rollers 10 and 11, wherein thedeveloped image is transferred and fused to the copy substrate bytransfix member 7 via rollers 10 and 11. Rollers 10 and/or 11 may or maynot contain heat associated therewith. In a preferred embodiment, one ofrollers 10 and 11 contains heat associated therewith in order totransfer and fuse the developed image to the copy substrate. Any form ofknown heat source may be associated with roller 10 and/or 11.

FIG. 2 demonstrates an enlarged view of a preferred embodiment of atransfix member 7 which may be in the form of a belt, sheet, film,roller, or like form. Intermediate transfer member 1 moves in thedirection of arrow 25. The developed image 12 positioned on intermediatetransfer member 1, is brought into contact with and transferred totransfix member 7 via rollers 4 and 8. As set forth above, roller 4and/or roller 8 may or may not have heat associated therewith. Transfixmember 7 proceeds in the direction of arrow 13. The developed image 12is transferred and fused to a copy substrate 9 as copy substrate 9 isadvanced between rollers 10 and 11. Rollers 10 and/or 11 may or may nothave heat associated therewith.

FIG. 3 demonstrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, whereintransfix member 7 comprises substrate 14, having thereover intermediatelayer 15. Outer layer 16 is positioned on the intermediate layer 15.Substrate 14, in preferred embodiments, comprises metal or fabric. In apreferred embodiment, the substrate comprises a fabric material, theintermediate layer 15 is an elastic layer, and the outer layer 16 is athin overcoat. In another preferred embodiment, the substrate 14comprises a metal, the intermediate layer 15 is a thin layer, and theouter layer 16 is a thin overcoat.

FIG. 4 depicts another preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4depicts a two-layer configuration comprising a substrate 14 and outerlayer 16 positioned on the substrate 14. In a preferred embodiment, thesubstrate 14 comprises a metal, and positioned thereon, a thin overcoatfor the outer layer 16.

FIGS. 5 and 6 depict an embodiment of the component film of the presentinvention. FIGS. 5 and 6 demonstrate a film component 20 comprising apolymer matrix 24. The polymer matrix 24 comprises a polymer 21 andsmall molecules 22. The polymer matrix is designed so that the smallmolecules 22 will diffuse through polymer 21 to the surface layer 23.

The polymer matrix can be used as an intermediate layer or outer layerof a component. It is preferred that the polymer matrix be positioned asthe intermediate layer, and have an outer release layer positionedthereon. In this manner, the small molecules are able to diffuse throughto the outer release layer to provide increased release.

A polymer matrix, as used herein, refers to the combination of polymermaterial and small molecules, wherein the small molecules are contained,embedded or dispersed within the polymer material. The small moleculesare not, however, crosslinked with the polymer, but are encapsulatedwithin the polymer material, thereby making up the polymer matrix.

In a preferred embodiment, the polymer of the polymer matrix is afunctional or crosslinked polymer, and particularly preferred arefunctional silicone polymers such as crosslinked polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS) functional polymers. The functional silicone polymer may haveterminal or pendant functionality. The crosslinked polymer backboneitself preferably has no residual functionality and does not take placein the crosslinking mechanism. Commercial examples ofpolydimethylsiloxane functional materials include RT 601 available fromWacker Chemie, and SYLGARD® 182 and 186 from Dow Corning. It ispreferred that the PDMS have a hardness of from about 20 to about 70Shore A, preferably from about 30 to about 60 Shore A, and particularlypreferred from about 50 to about 55 Shore A.

In a preferred embodiment, the small molecules are non-functional. Inanother preferred embodiment, the small molecules are oligomers.Preferably, the small molecules have from about 1 to about 30 andpreferably from about 3 to about 20 cyclic chains or repeating units. Acyclic chain, as used herein, refers to a molecular segment withrepeating units in ring formation. Preferably, the small molecules havea molecular weight range of from about 100 to about 2,000, preferablyfrom about 500 to about 1,250, and particularly preferred from about 500to about 800.

The small molecules can be any materials capable of diffusing throughthe polymer to the surface of the polymer matrix. In a preferredembodiment, the small molecules are non-functional. Preferably, thesmall molecules comprise silicone oligomers, such aspolydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) oligomers. Particularly preferred PDMSoligomers include straight chain molecules having from about 4 to about100 units.

The small molecules are present in the polymer matrix in an amount offrom about 5 to about 50, preferably from about 10 to about 25, andparticularly preferred from about 15 to about 20 percent by weight oftotal solids. Total solids as used herein refer to the amount of solidmaterial in the polymer matrix, including additives, fillers, thepolymer, and like solids.

When the component film is subjected to heat and/or pressure, the smallmolecules ooze out of the polymer matrix and diffuse to the surfacelayer of the component film. The small molecules form a continuous filmon the surface layer of the component film. A continuous layer refers toa layer that acts as an effective barrier for a surface with little andpreferably no pinholes or voids that would allow contaminants or otherphysical elements from the system to achieve intimate contact with thesurface. The exact methodology is unknown, although it is believed thatthe small molecules do not completely crosslink with the polymer in thepolymer matrix. Instead, the non-functional small molecules arecompletely encapsulated within the crosslinked polymer bulk. Therefore,the small molecules are held loosely in the polymer matrix and do notcrosslink with the polymer. Accordingly, heat and/or pressure can causethe small molecules to loosen from the polymer matrix and diffuse out.The small molecules essentially diffuse from the polymer bulk to thesurface providing an internal release agent.

In a preferred embodiment, the polymer is functional and the smallmolecules are non-functional. It is theorized that in this embodiment,the non-functional small molecules are held loosely within thefunctional polymer of the polymer matrix. Again, upon associating thefilm component with heat and/or pressure, the small molecules willloosen and diffuse to the surface of the component film.

In the embodiment wherein the component film is used as a transfer ortransfix member in an electrostatographic apparatus, the small moleculesdiffused to the surface of the component film can aid in release of thedeveloped image from the transfer or transfix member. There is muchimprovement over known release agents or release fluids in terms of adecrease or elimination of contamination of the other components of theelectrostatographic apparatus.

In known electrostatographic apparatuses that comprise transfer ortransfix components, silicone fluids having functionality are used toenhance transfer or transfix. The functional silicone release agents canreact with the copy substrates (e.g., paper) and can also react with thetransfer or transfix members. In addition, the silicone release agentscan be spread to other machine parts following contamination of thetransfer or transfix member and/or the copy substrate. This can cause anaccelerated component failure even after a few thousand prints.

In addition, many transfer or transfix members contain crosslinkedsilicone elastomers as outer layers. The crosslinked silicone layerscontain functional groups to provide a site for crosslinking that givesthe polymers increased physical properties such as toughness, hardnessand tensile strength. Therefore, it is beneficial to provide an outerlayer comprising a crosslinked silicone elastomer.

The present polymer matrix allows for a non-functional release agent todiffuse to the surface layer of the transfix or transfer member in orderto aid in transfer of the developed image. Also, the polymer matrixlayer of the transfer or transfix member in an embodiment of theinvention, comprises a functional elastomer. This crosslinked elastomersupplies the transfer or transfix member with the desired physicalproperties of toughness, hardness and tensile strength. The combinationof crosslinked elastomer outer layer and non-functional small moleculesallows for a transfer or transfix member having the desired physicalproperties, along with superior release properties. Also, because thesmall molecule release agent does not contain functional groups, thesmall molecule release agent reduces or eliminates the possibility ofcontamination of the copy substrate and the transfer or transfix member.

Small molecules are added intentionally to slowly diffuse out underprocess conditions. The small molecules may also be a part of thepolymer chain itself that can undergo degradation and be cleaved off todiffuse to the surface. In either situation, the function obtained isrelease.

The diffusion rate of the release fluid small molecules can becontrolled by the crosslink density of the polymer portion of thepolymer matrix, or by added absorbent mineral fillers. Crosslink densitycan be measured by equilibrium swell methods. Preferably, the crosslinkdensity is from about 10⁻⁵ to about 10⁻³ moles of chains per cubiccentimeter. This allows for a diffusion rate of the release agent fromthe small molecules of from about 0.1 to about 0.5, and preferably fromabout 0.2 to about 0.3 μl/copy substrate or print.

The component film, in embodiments, may comprise electrically conductiveparticles or mineral fillers dispersed therein, in addition to the smallmolecules. These electrical conductive particles decrease the materialresistivity into the desired resistivity range. The desired surfaceresistivity is from about 10⁶ to about 10¹³, preferably from about 10⁸to about 10¹², and more preferably from about 10¹⁰ to about 10¹²ohms/sq. The preferred volume resistivity range is from about 10⁵ toabout 10¹⁴, preferably from about 10⁸ to about 10¹⁴, and particularlypreferred is from about 10¹² to about 10¹⁴ ohm-cm.

Varying the concentration of the conductive filler can provide thedesired resistivity. It is important to have the resistivity within thisdesired range. The transfix components may exhibit undesirable effectsif the resistivity is not within the required range. Other problemsinclude resistivity that is susceptible to changes in temperature,relative humidity, and the like. The combination of silicone elastomerand electrically conductive filler, in embodiments, allows for tailoringof a desired resistivity, and further, allows for a stable resistivityvirtually unaffected by changes in relative humidity and temperature.

Examples of suitable conductive fillers include carbon black such asfluorinated carbon black (for example ACCUFLUOR®), metal oxides such asiron oxide, aluminum oxide, antimony tin oxide, indium tin oxide, othermetal oxides, metals, and the like. In a preferred embodiment of theinvention, the electrically conductive filler is fluorinated carbonblack. The optional conductive filler is present in the layer in anamount of from about 5 to about 40, preferably from about 10 to about30, and particularly preferred from about 15 to about 20 percent byweight of total solids.

It is preferred that the outer layer of the transfix member berelatively thin. Preferably, the thickness of the transfix member isfrom about 1 to about 10 mils, preferably from about 2 to about 8 mils,and particularly preferred from about 2 to about 4 mils.

The transfix substrate can comprise any material having suitablestrength and flexibility for use as a transfix member, enabling themember to cycle around rollers during use of the machine. Preferredmaterials for the substrate include metals and fabrics. Examples ofsuitable metal materials include stainless steel (various grades),aluminum, and other like metals. Preferred metals include stainlesssteel and grades thereof.

A fabric material, as used herein, refers to a textile structurecomprised of mechanically interlocked fibers or filaments, of polymersor metals, which may be woven or nonwoven. The fibers may be polymeric,metallic, synthetic, or natural fibers woven into a strong,dimensionally-stable backing substrate. Fabrics are materials made fromfibers or threads that are woven, knitted or pressed into a cloth orfelt type structure. Woven, as used herein, refers to closely orientedby warp and filler strands at right angles to each other. Nonwoven, asused herein, refers to randomly integrated fibers or filaments. Thefabric material should have high mechanical strength and possesselectrical insulating properties.

Examples of suitable fabrics include woven or nonwoven cotton fabric,graphite fabric, fiberglass, woven or nonwoven polyimide (for exampleKELVAR® available from DuPont), woven or nonwoven polyamide, such asnylon or polyphenylene isophthalamide (for example, NOMEX® of E.I.DuPont of Wilmington, Del.), polyester, aramids, polycarbonate,polyacryl, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, cellulose,polysulfone, polyxylene, polyacetal, and the like.

Preferably, the substrate is of a thickness of from about 25 to about150 mils, preferably from about 25 to about 100 mils, and particularlypreferred about 50 mils.

In an optional embodiment of a transfix member, an intermediate layermay be positioned between the substrate and the component film.Materials suitable for use in the intermediate layer include siliconematerials, ethylene diene propene monomers, isoprene, fluoroelastomerssuch as those sold under the tradename VITON®, urethanes, naturalrubbers, and the like. Preferably, the intermediate layer comprises asilicone rubber, urethane or fluoroelastomer. In a particularlypreferred embodiment, the intermediate layer further comprises aconductive filler. Suitable fillers include metals, metal oxides, carbonblacks, and the like.

It is preferred that the intermediate layer be conformable and be of athickness of from about 5 to about 30 mils, preferably from about 10 toabout 25 mils, and particularly preferred of from about 10 to about 20mils.

Examples of suitable transfix members include a sheet, a film, a web, afoil, a strip, a coil, a cylinder, a drum, an endless strip, a circulardisc, a belt including an endless belt, an endless seamed flexible belt,an endless seamless flexible belt, an endless belt having a puzzle cutseam, and the like. It is preferred that the substrate having the outerlayer thereon, be an endless seamed flexible belt or seamed flexiblebelt, which may or may not include puzzle cut seams. Examples of suchbelts are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,487,707; 5,514,436; and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/297,203 filed Aug. 29, 1994, thedisclosures each of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety. A method for manufacturing reinforced seamless belts is setforth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,557, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

The transfix film, preferably in the form of a belt, has a width, forexample, of from about 150 to about 2,000 mm, preferably from about 250to about 1,400 mm, and particularly preferred is from about 300 to about500 mm. The circumference of the belt is preferably from about 75 toabout 2,500 mm, more preferably from about 125 to about 2,100 mm, andparticularly preferred from about 155 to about 550 mm.

In a transfix embodiment, heat may be supplied to the component film viaknown heating methods such as radiant heat, infrared heat, internalrollers or lamps, and other known heating sources.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail.These examples are intended to be illustrative, and the invention is notlimited to the materials, conditions, or process parameters set forth inthese embodiments. All parts are percentages by weight of total solidsas defined above unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLES Example 1

A stainless steel or fabric substrate can be overcoated with anintermediate layer of a silicone elastomer, Wacker RT601® siliconeelastomer loaded with about 20 percent by weight of a fluorinated carbonblack (ACCUFLUOR® 2028, from Allied Signal, New Jersey) via flow coatingor spray coating to a thickness of approximately 20 mil. Theintermediate layer may also contain about 40 percent by weight of a lowmolecular weight oligomer such as DMS-T00® (available from Gelest Inc.,New Jersey) contained in the polymer matrix. DMS-T00® is a short chainsiloxane consisting of two siloxane repeat units. The low molecularweight oligomers are held by polymer-polymer affinity within thecrosslinked network and it is understood that they will diffuse out overtime in process. A formulation composed of Wacker RT601® siliconeelastomer loaded with about 20 percent by weight fluorinated carbonblack (ACCUFLUOR® 2028) can be used as the final topcoat or outerrelease layer. The topcoat silicone layer can be coated to a thicknessof approximately 3 mils as described previously.

The finished belt can then be used in a transfix fixture, exhibitingenhanced release as a result of possessing a quantity of a diffusablerelease agent within the intermediate polymer matrix layer.

While the invention has been described in detail with reference tospecific and preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that variousmodifications and variations will be apparent to the artisan. All suchmodifications and embodiments as may readily occur to one skilled in theart are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims.

1. An image forming apparatus for forming images on a recording mediumcomprising: a) a charge-retentive surface to receive an electrostaticlatent image thereon; b) a development component to apply a developermaterial to said charge-retentive surface to develop said electrostaticlatent image to form a developed image on said charge-retentive surface;c) a transfix component for transferring and fusing said developed imagefrom said charge-retentive surface to a copy substrate, said transfixmember comprising: a component film having a surface layer and a polymermatrix layer, wherein said polymer matrix layer comprises a polymer andsmall molecules, said polymer matrix layer designed to allow said smallmolecules to diffuse through said polymer matrix layer to said surfacelayer upon the application of pressure or heat to said component film,wherein said small molecules diffuse through said polymer matrix layerto form a continuous layer on said surface layer, and a heatingcomponent associated with said substrate.
 2. The image forming apparatusof claim 1, wherein said small molecules diffuse to said surface layerat a diffusion rate of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 μl/copy substrate. 3.The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein said diffusion rate isfrom about 0.2 to about 0.3 μl/copy substrate.
 4. An image formingapparatus of claim 1, wherein said polymer is a functional polymer. 5.An image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein said polymer iscrosslinked.
 6. An image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidpolymer is a silicone polymer.
 7. An image forming apparatus of claim 6,wherein said silicone polymer is a polydimethylsiloxane.
 8. An imageforming apparatus of claim 1, wherein said small molecules comprisenon-functional oligomers.
 9. An image forming apparatus of claim 1,wherein said small molecules comprise oligomers having from about 1 toabout 30 cyclic units.
 10. An image forming apparatus of claim 9,wherein said oligomers have from about 3 to about 20 cyclic units. 11.An imaging forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein said small moleculesare completely encapsulated within said polymer matrix.
 12. An imageforming apparatus of claim 1, wherein said polymer matrix layer furthercomprises a conductive filler.
 13. An image forming apparatus of claim12, wherein said conductive filler is selected from the group consistingof metal oxides and carbon black.
 14. An image forming apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein said metal oxides are selected form the groupconsisting of aluminum oxide, iron oxide, antimony tin oxide, indium tinoxide, and fluorinated carbon.
 15. An image forming apparatus of claim1, further comprising a substrate in combination with said componentfilm, wherein said component film is positioned on the substrate.
 16. Animage forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises amaterial selected from the group consisting of fabrics and metals. 17.An imaging forming apparatus of claim 16, wherein said fabric materialis selected from the group consisting of cotton fabric, graphite fabric,fiberglass, polylmide, polyamide, polyester, aramids, polycarbonate,polyacryl, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, cellulose,polysulfone, polyxylene, and polyacetal.
 18. An image forming apparatusof claim 1, wherein said small molecules have a crosslinked density offrom about 10⁻⁵ to about 10⁻³ moles of chains per cubic centimeter.